The Best Gifts for a Guitar Player
Whether playing as a hobby or professionally, guitarists will always require frequent acquisition and replacement of basic accessories. If the guitarist performs frequently, costs can quickly add up when frayed cords and dull strings must be replaced. Fortunately, there are several gifts sure to please nearly any player.
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Picks
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Keep the guitar player in your life stocked with picks. Notice what type the player has on hand to determine his preferences, as picks come in many different sizes and styles, all of which affect playing and sound. Present several packs at a time as picks tend to wear out and get misplaced.
Strings
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Help get a recording session or gig started off right with new strings. Know in advance the brand and size strings the player typically purchases, for string size and material affect the tone and the way the strings feel to a player's hands.
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Cables
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Buy a quality cable. According to "Guitar World" writer Dave Hunter, "that sheathed, shielded wire is a vital link in the tone chain." Having an extra cable is always appreciated, allowing a guitarist to switch out a worn cable when it negatively affects sound.
Polish and Cleaner
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Help a guitarist take care of his instrument with a gift of guitar polish and string cleaner. Include soft cloths that can be used to apply the polish when cleaning or that can be used to wipe strings down after playing to stave off dullness that affects tone.
Music Books
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Build a guitarist's song repertoire with a music or chord book. Take into consideration the type of music the guitarist would like to learn or songs frequently requested. Buying a "top songs of the year" book allows a guitar player to learn contemporary music often required to get bookings.
Effects Pedals
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Give a guitar-playing friend an effects pedal. Experimentation is part of guitar playing and most players can always use one more pedals to produce a variety of sounds, such as wah, delay and fuzz. Throw in short cords and nine-volt batteries, items that connect and power these pedals. Batteries in these items tend to wear out quickly.
Stands
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Provide a home for a guitar with a stand, as players always need something to hold the guitar when not playing it. If the player has multiple guitars, a stand that holds several guitars at once will be appreciated.
Straps
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Give a guitarist a new strap. Taking into account the genre of music generally played will provide clues about which style or color to select. Consider also the player's personality and preferences for straps made of fabric or leather and designs that are simple or ornate.
Tuners
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Help keep the guitarist's music in pitch with a tuner. Selecting a tuner that self regulates or that has large lights that can be easily seen while playing can allow guitarists to make seamless tuning adjustments that minimize sharp or flat tones. Include a nine-volt battery; most tuners require one.
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References
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